A-Rod & the "Tough Love" Yankees

[suedon1970]

Poor A-Rod - Not only are the Yankee fans ganging up on him, but his own teammates and coach......



http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2595523

[doublee]

Is anyone truly surprised by this? It is not as though anyone in the organization has said word one to the media in defense of the guy. Heck, Mussina basically through him under the bus when A-Rod made an error that led to a big inning during one of Moose's starts. We keep hearing reporters saying A-Rod will not finish out his contract in NY and in light of this I won't be at all surprised if he is out of there come next year.

[NY Jay 05]

Good to see the team atmosphere is holding up heading into the postseason.

[boston_aloha]

Is this guy for real?
When people write [bad things] about me, I don't know if it's [because] I'm good-looking, I'm biracial, I make the most money, I play on the most popular team ..."

[catman]

ARod seems bound and determined to end the season for the Yankees, doesn't he?
The timing of this is not good. I'm sure Torre is pulling what's left if his hair out. Little wonder ARod hasn't ever been on a winning team.

[bama4256]

Why would they give this guy a hard time. He produces every year. He can't make the team win the World Series by himself. yeah he had a lot of errors this season, but that happens.

If the fans wouldn't put so much pressure on him he might produce big time in the postseason. Give the guy a break.

[doublee]

Because his numbers in the clutch are horrible. He is hitting .227 with a .360 slugging and only 2 homers in late/close situations which are defined as: "7th inning or later with the batting team either ahead by one run, tied or with the potential tying run at least on deck. "

Pujols is hitting .318 with 9 homers in 66 ABs and a .788 slugging in close late situations.

Papi is hitting .301 with 11 homers in close late situations.

When you are paying a guy $25 mil you expect him to put up those types of numbers in the clutch.

[bama4256]

All i know is he drives in a lot of runs. Isn't that important?

[doublee]

Yeah, but what does it matter when you drive in runs in the 8th inning of a an 8-1 game? Your stud hitters are supposed to drive in runs when your team needs them the most not in blow out games when it doesn't really matter. Because he is paid so much more than anyone else in baseball he has to be that much better to escape criticism.

[suedon1970]

I read the entire article in SI today and what Doublee is saying is exactly where the rest of the Yankee organization is coming from with their beef with A-Rod - A-Rod, during his slump, wasn't being clutch at all when he needed to be.

[Mel316]

ARod is a tempermental player like Reggie Jackson
Reggie said he's the straw that stirs the drink and in the 77 World Series he proved it
He made hot headed Munson eat crow that night
ARod's glass has a hole in it with that straw
ARod is not a champion player like Reggie was
ARod is much better off with a 3rd rate team and he shines the most
ARod had to take a back seat to to many players ala Capitano himself
ARod is used to being the big gun on the team and go home after the season is over and dwell on his stats
He knows nothing about winning like the El Capitano and a few other Yankees from the 98 99 teams that won it all
If ARod can learn to share the Limelight and see winning as everything and nothing else matters look out for ARod
ARod has to stop this "mommy I don't feel good" attitude and start to play for the team